1.04.2006

Red flag day again

We're having another red flag day, which means a burn ban is in effect because of dry conditions and high winds. The Dallas-Fort Worth area received only about 19 inches in 2005 and we normally get about 35 inches of rainfall. Our lawn is not much more than a few patches of dried up grass and dirt. Many of our neighbors have nothing but dirt in their yards. We couldn't afford to water our sad little lawn and most cities have water restrictions because of the drought.

But, I'll take a dry lawn over the fires that are burning up Texas and Oklahoma right now. Several homes were destroyed by fire in my hometown last week, only about 40 miles from where I live now.

Wildfires are destroying acres and acres of land from pasture land to homes and businesses. A friend of mine and her husband were taking some hay bales from their ranch to Oklahoma Sunday morning and drove through Ringgold. When they went through in the morning, all was fine. When they came back that evening, the town was smoldering and 60 percent gone. She said she wept out of sadness and fear when she saw it. To think a town was there hours before and just gone a few hours later was almost more than she could handle. Ringgold is about 83 miles northwest from us.

I worry a bit about the fires because all it takes is the careless toss of a cigarette from a car or a spark from a passing train. But, I hope that being in the burbs will keep us a bit safer, although we have open fields on three sides of our neighborhood. Many prayers for those who lost everything.

Gadfly, apparently many Kennedale homes were saved by residents being out there with their water hoses! So, that is a great idea. I've already been thinking about that stuff, too. Not so sure on the fireman's hat. I suppose I could steal one of the kids' hats!

And, Darnell - many thanks for the plug and the kind words. We're all more than a little fearful these days just waiting till we get some rain and none is on the forefront for at least a week.